Socialism has become the modus operandi of today's Democrat Party. With victories from radical leftists mounting and organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America flying high with several fresh victories under their belt, it really does feel like they have enough momentum to become a nationwide problem.
But do they?
NBC News itself has some bad news. As Tom Llamas and Steve Kornacki point out, the moment you step outside the Democrat Party and begin speaking to Independents, socialism's popularity begins falling off a cliff so suddenly it hovers uncertainly in the air, holds up a sign that says "uh oh!" then craters into the gorge below.
A number of Democratic candidates we have seen embraced [socialist] labeling. Within the democratic party, it’s actually more popular, 52% favorable, than not. Take one step outside the Democratic Party, and things change quickly. Look at this. Among independents, more than three out of four, 77%, with a negative view of socialism.
WATCH: A rare exposition of the unpopularity of socialism among the American electorate on @NBCNightlyNews
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) August 5, 2026
TOM LLAMAS: I want to bring Steve Kornacki now on the big test for Democrats over what direction it will take for the midterms. On this issue of socialism, very different… pic.twitter.com/PKwKmkW2cs
That's a nasty fall off of support from what is clearly an isolated group.
Still, how could a group that is so isolated become so powerful within the Democrat Party? I think the answer is pretty simple.
They were always there; they just didn't have the same power during the Clinton or even Obama eras, at least not until the end of the Obama era. After that point, the Democrat Party began to change significantly. Obama said he was going to fundamentally remake the U.S., but I think what he actually did was remake his own party into something far more socialist and radical.
As this new party gave birth to various issues over time, such as COVID lockdowns, unfettered illegal immigration, higher crime rates, BLM riots, and more, the more moderate Democrats abandoned ship and either left to become Independent or Republican, emphasis on the former.
The increase in approval for socialism was more about the remaining parts of the party having approval for it, and grabbing support from fellow radicals who jumped on board, or in many other cases, fooled the ignorant and/or "highly educated" into supporting DSA or socialist-heavy candidates.
Post-Biden, Independents surged in number according to Gallup:
A record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political independents in 2025, surpassing the 43% measured in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equal shares of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as either Democrats or Republicans.
In most years since Gallup began regularly conducting its polls by telephone in 1988, independents have been the largest political group. However, the independent percentage has increased markedly in the past 15 years, typically registering 40% or higher, a level not reached prior to 2011.
According to Pew, Independents went 50/50 between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in 2024. So, we can deduce that many Democrats abandoned their party, became independents, and many voted Republican despite identifying as Democrat-leaning.
In short, Democrat voters have been alienated by the socialists who have taken over the party. They still think they're left-leaning, but their moderate stances have them considering the socialist Democrats a step too far, and given the choice, they still vote Republican. What victories the socialists are seeing are occurring in deep "vote blue no matter who" territory where ideology and party loyalty make the mere idea of voting for anyone to the right of Karl Marx a gag-worthy offense.
The socialists' momentum is fun to report about from a legacy media stance, but one has to wonder how many Independents are watching the antics of New York Mayor Mamdani and the ridiculousness of DSA politicians and feel just as disgusted as you. As NBC points out, the approval just isn't there in the rest of America.
This isn't me saying anyone should let their guard down. Radical leftism isn't an army that lines up for battle like political parties of old. They act like an infection. They weasel their way into lower positions first. School boards, city councils, organization boardrooms, etc., and they work outward. Like roaches, if you see one, then there are hundreds, if not thousands, you don't see, and before you know it, you're dealing with an infestation.
Stay frosty.
